A Fairer Justice System

Access to a fair and effective justice system is a cornerstone of our province.

In 2014, you elected us to build Ontario up. Since then, the Ontario Liberal government has worked to modernize the criminal justice system to improve outcomes for vulnerable and marginalized people, including Indigenous people.

We are developing an integrated strategy to help divert vulnerable people away from the justice system through early intervention, and to help those in the system with rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

We have invested in First Nations police services and are enhancing access to mental health and addiction care. We are investing in programs that will help reduce incarceration rates and increase access to justice for Indigenous people. We are working to end violence against Indigenous women and to improve the justice system’s response to survivors of sexual violence.

But we are hearing from people that we need to do more. Indigenous people continue to be overrepresented in our prisons. Indigenous women and girls continue to experience violence.

That’s why the Ontario Liberals are reducing barriers faced by Indigenous people across the justice system. Our plan:

Establishes a bicultural community justice centre in Kenora, with satellite locations in Sioux Lookout and Timmins, to improve the delivery and quality of justice and program supports for marginalized and Indigenous offenders, through targeted and culturally appropriate services that will better address the complex factors that contribute to chronic offending

Will provide culturally responsive supports to Indigenous people going through the bail and remand process.

Provides the option for First Nations to opt in to the provincial policing framework by creating First Nation Police Service Boards under the new Police Services Act, 2018

Will improve the representation on our juries by using a broader OHIP source list, through further consultation with Indigenous communities and a review of the compensation jurors receive

Is implementing Walking Together: Ontario’s Long-Term Strategy to End Violence Against Indigenous Women